Director of Packaging Engineering and Site Manager

Elevatequantum; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevate Quantum in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a Director of Packaging Engineering and Site Manager to lead the stand-up and operations of a quantum packaging facility. You will drive capabilities, oversee pilot production, and build partnerships with Sandia National Labs to enable advanced chip-based packaging for quantum systems.

The role is highly strategic and hands-on, requiring leadership of a growing technical team and collaboration with university and national labs to advance quantum

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in semiconductor packaging, photonics integration, or heterogeneous device manufacturing.
• Master’s degree in relevant area required.
• PhD a plus but not required.
• Strong leadership, R&D or pilot manufacturing experience.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead stand-up and operations of the packaging facility in Albuquerque, NM.
• Develop capabilities and oversee low-volume production.
• Manage staff and build external partnerships, including with Sandia National Labs.
• Define roadmaps and commercialization strategies.

Skills

Semiconductor packaging

Photonics integration

Leadership

Program management

Communication

Education

Master's degree in relevant area

PhD a plus

Tools

Wire bonding equipment

Metrology equipment

Cleanroom processes

Job description

Director of Packaging Engineering and Site Manager

Jul 2

Job Title: Director of Packaging Engineering and Site Manager
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Compensation: $180,000 – $210,000, commensurate with experience
Type: Full-time
Organization: Elevate Quantum

About Elevate Quantum

Elevate Quantum is 501c3 non-profit that is dedicated to dramatically accelerating the pace of innovation in quantum from the industry’s largest cluster, the Mountain West. With a consortium that includes over 120 organizations spanning Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, Elevate Quantum is uniquely positioned to transform cutting‑edge research into world‑changing companies. Our mission is to ensure U.S. economic and strategic security and to establish leadership in the Quantum Century.

We are recognized as a Designated TechHub by the U.S. Department of Commerce, a testament to our role in advancing quantum technology. This designation has brought significant federal and state investments, aimed at building our operations and ensuring sustained growth and innovation in quantum technology.

Our consortium features leading names in the quantum industry such as Quantinuum, Atom Computing, Infleqtion, Vescent, and Maybell Quantum. We are also partnered with market giants like Google, Microsoft, AWS, and Lockheed Martin and research powerhouses like Sandia, NIST, CU Boulder, LANL, Colorado School of Mines, and more. This mix of leading companies, research organizations, and workforce builders such as Front Range Community College, University of New Mexico, College of New Mexico - Ingenuity NCWIT, and others, will help us ensure that we maintain rigorous attention to detail while navigating a fast‑moving and dynamic environment.

About the Role

We are now launching a first‑of‑its‑kind quantum packaging and heterogeneous integration facility in Albuquerque, NM. This facility, developed in close partnership with Sandia National Laboratories and University of New Mexico, will support next‑generation chip and photonics‑based packaging techniques relevant to quantum systems.

In pursuit of this objective, Elevate Quantum is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Packaging Engineering and Site Manager to lead the stand‑up and operations of our packaging facility. This role is both highly strategic and deeply operational. The successful candidate will serve as the technical and site lead, responsible for developing new capabilities, overseeing low‑volume production, managing staff, and building external partnerships—including with Sandia National Labs.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a critical piece of quantum infrastructure in an emerging technology field with global implications.

Key Responsibilities

• In partnership with the Elevate Quantum officer team, build and lead a new business unit focused on chip‑based packaging processes that are quantum‑relevant (ion traps, neutral atom, etc.).
• Work closely with Elevate Quantum’s officer team to define technical roadmaps and commercialization strategies.
• Act as a technical expert in business development settings and at industry conferences.

Facility Management

• Work hand in hand with the COO/CFO to oversee on‑the‑ground operations of the Albuquerque facility, including build‑out, equipment installation, and lab commissioning.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), lab safety protocols, and process documentation.
• Track progress and report on milestones to Elevate Quantum's COO/CFO.

Engineering & Technical Execution

• Lead development and optimization of quantum packaging processes, and implement capabilities such as active fiber alignment, wire bonding, flip‑chip bonding, solder jetting, and metrology.
• Manage cleanroom operations and production of novel chip‑based quantum and opto‑electronic packages.
• Drive continuous process improvement and implement rigorous quality assurance practices.

Team & Partner Management

• Recruit, train, and supervise a growing technical team.
• Collaborate with Sandia National Labs to access process IP, develop training programs, and coordinate joint R&D efforts.
• Engage with university and commercial partners to expand capability and customer base.

Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in semiconductor packaging, photonics integration, or heterogeneous device manufacturing.
• Master’s degree in relevant area required (PhD a plus but not required).
• Demonstrated success in building and leading advanced R&D or pilot manufacturing facilities.
• Ability to adapt to changing customer needs as the quantum ecosystem is evolving rapidly.
• Strong process development skills and familiarity with cleanroom operations.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Preferred:

• Direct experience with chip‑based packaging processes (wire bonding, active fiber coupling, flip chip bonding, etc.)
• Knowledge of low‑volume production environments and metrology.
• Ability to present technically at relevant conferences, supporting thought leadership and business team goals of Elevate Quantum.
• Prior collaboration with national laboratories or experience in federally funded research.

Why Join Elevate Quantum?

Be a Pioneer: You’ll lead a first‑of‑its‑kind facility in a globally strategic industry.

Shape the Future: Play a defining role in advancing U.S. leadership in quantum packaging.

Collaborate with the Best: Work alongside top‑tier scientists, engineers, and national lab partners.

Make an Impact: Your work will support breakthroughs in quantum computing, sensing, and communications.